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Shadowverse Evolve
Welcome to the exciting world of Shadowverse Evolve, a popular physical trading card game from Japan created following the success of the digital card game "Shadowverse".
Shadowverse, like many other popular Japanese trading card games, has multiple anime series and even a Nintendo Switch game. Major tournaments for Shadowverse Evolve have peaked at over 2000 players in Japan, and it's hoped that one day, Shadowverse Evolve will hit those peaks in the English markets as well.
Why you should play Shadowverse Evolve:
- If you like the anime art aesthetic of Shadowverse Evolve
- If you're a fan of popular series like Uma Musume, Idolm@ster, Code Geass, Niisanji and Hololive, which have all had collaborations with Shadowverse Evolve
- If you like fast-paced and quick games with meaningful decisions
- If you want to play a relatively cheap card game
- If you played the digital Shadowverse game
How do I get started with Shadowverse Evolve?
You'll want to start by selecting a class. Shadowverse Evolve consists of six different classes, Swordcraft, Forestcraft, Abysscraft, Havencraft, Dragoncraft, and Runecraft. From time to time, there are special collaboration classes, such as the Umamusume class. Generally speaking, you'll play the collaboration classes when you like the collaboration.
For a new player, you'll want to pick something that aligns to your play style, your preference in aesthetics, and your overall goals. If you're the type of player who wants to win events above all else, then just check out our tier list and pick something in Tier 1. But if you're looking for more information on class identity and aesthetics, then read on.
Class breakdowns
Dragoncraft
Dragons. Lots and lots of dragons. If you like big followers and you want to drop them way earlier than you're supposed to, you've come to the right place. Armed with the most powerful spell in the game, Dragon Oracle, this class ramps up its maximum mana into explosive followers like Forte, Dark Dragoon, and Bahamut.
Discard Dragon
CP01
Forestcraft
All the denizens of the wild are at your command, from elves, to fairies to unfathomably monstrous beasts. One of the most flexible classes, known for combo potential, but also capable of good old-fashioned aggro. Often considered as one of the classes with the highest skill cap as well.
Mid Range Forest
CP01
Abysscraft
A mixture of the Bloodcraft and Shadowcraft classes from the digital Shadowverse, it's a class with a focus on using alternative resources, such as your life points and the lives of your own followers to power up the abilities of your followers. A class with two extremes, with some of the most aggressive archetypes in the game, to heavy control strategies focused on building up your graveyard and empowering your late game. You'll also like this archetype if you have an affinity for the demonic and the undead.
Aggro Abyss
CP01
Havencraft
The Shadowverse take on Havencraft depicts the holy and the hertical side of religious worship. From the divine holy maiden Jeanne d'Arc, all the way through to heretical abominations such as Skullfane. What makes Havencraft unique in its playstyle is the ability to use amulets as a primary engine for card draw, removal and creating aggressive followers. From Set 3 onwards, Havencraft transforms from being a purely control-based class to having aggressive options such as Egg Haven as well.
Aegis Haven
CP01
Runecraft
Like magic? Then this is the class for you. A class that has powerful spells for every occasion, including the most impactful spell of them all, Dimension Shift, which allows you to take an extra turn. Its key mechanic is called Spellchain, where many spells become enhanced based on how many spells are in your graveyard.
There's also a more board based version that utilises a resource called Earth Sigils to enhance the abilities of your followers and spells.
Dimension Shift
CP01
Swordcraft
Also called "Royal" in Japanese, it's a theme heavily centred on nobility and medieval warfare. You get a nice mix of maids, princesses and hot guy six packs within the class. A class that aims to take control of the board to chip away at the opponent until they can be finished with explosive storm finishers like Albert, Levin Saber.
Leonidas Sword
BP04
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Aloy
/
2nd
Umamusume
Also known as Horse Girls. If you're a fan of the mobile game or the tv anime series, you'll feel right at home when racing into action with your favourite characters.
Collaboration classes like Uma Musume allow you to use any and all Uma Musume cards, regardless of what class they're in. The trade off is that you cannot use any cards that are not from the Uma Musume series.
Collaboration classes are typically pretty powerful on release and can be played for a fairly long time. In addition, they can usually be built in several different ways. In general, Uma Musume is well known for its strong removal options and the very powerful Daiwa Scarlet + Vodka combination.
Uma Musume
CP01
Now that I've decided on my class, what now?
First thing's first, you'll want to pick up a starter deck of your chosen class. It comes with exclusive cards and a simple deck for you to learn the key mechanics. If it's your first time playing the game, try to find a friend to play you with another starter deck.
If you like the feel of the class, it's time to power up your deck. Check out any of the decks on Shadowverse Master as a reference point for what type of cards are popular.
How should I obtain my cards?
The answer to this question ultimately depends on your budget and how competitive you want to be with the game. These are the key ways to obtain cards:
- Buying booster boxes from your local card game store
- Buying singles from other players, tcgplayer or a facebook group
- Trading for cards from other players
- Playing tournaments to slowly build your collection based on prizes (promos and packs)
I can't afford everything in the deck, do I really need X card? What cards should I prioritise?
On the release of the game, Bellringer Angel was selling for around 20 USD. A powerful anti aggro tool that could be used to ward for cheap and also draw cards after being sent to the grave. Despite being widely considered a staple for Set 2 Swordcraft, there were a number of players who were able to qualify for the 2024 World Championships by foregoing bellringer altogether.
Another very expensive card in Set 2 was Olivia, Dark Angel. Going for 40 USD, it was a powerful neutral card that could be slotted into almost any deck. Nevertheless, many people were able to succeed in Set 2 without playing the card, even if it may have otherwise been "best in slot".
In other words, don't worry too much if there's one or two cards that you just can't afford right now. That doesn't mean that you should go full budget (if you want to win), but it also means you don't have to have everything right away.
My class is currently Tier 3 or lower, help!
"No king reigns forever, my son"
Like in most card games, no classes or archetypes remain tier 1 forever, and different decks will take turns at the top. It means that even if your class is currently not in Tier 1, it may very well receive the push it needs in the next set. Also, with the English edition of Shadowverse Evolve featuring balance changes like Shenlong, Ikuno Dictus and Trial Initiation to 1, you could be the one to uncover the secret build that propels you to the top.
Fortunately, no class so far has been completely left to dry in the English meta. Even if your class is unpopular, it will usually have a few good matchups and will be playable at the local level.
Where can I find somewhere to play?
You can download the Bushinavi app onto your phone and look for local tournaments in your area! Usually, tournaments will give out the latest set as prizes, as well as exclusive promo packs. Some promo packs, like promo pack 2, have a small chance to pull a rare alt art card, like Aria, Fairy Princess, which can go for a lot of money!
Also, some people will play the game via webcam, and you can look for games via online discord and Facebook groups.
Where can I hang out and chat about Shadowverse Evolve?
- Shadowverse Master Discord
- Shadowverse Evolve TCG Community Discord
- Shadowverse Evolve TCG Community Facebook
- Your local tournament scene
How can I keep up to date with the meta?
- Check out the decklists on Shadowverse Master
- Subscribe to the Shadowverse Master Youtube channel for deck profiles and other interesting content
